Electric flatiron



, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fell 4, 1930 lw. A. DEHART ELECTRIC FLATIRN Filed's'ept. 17

"YE E INVENTOR 7E/MHT WML/AM A,

MTN E55 @ya Feb. 4, 1930. 'A y W, A DEHAR'T 1,745,410

ELECTRIC FLAT'IRON Filed sept. 17, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 2 i 40 electricheatingv elementy 2}o ,verl which rests,

- Patented Feb. 4, 1930 U'NITED sfrarlazsl ,Mfrsury orificeA yWILLIAM A. im' Iman/or- TEANEGK, inaw JERSEY, Ass-'Ionen To FRANCES ROCKE- f f 1 KING, or NEW YORK, N. Y'.

V,embodying the present invention and illus` trating they controlling switchin circuit 1n-- Vso terrupting position; l

f attached parts remoyed;`lkrv j y i i The iinprovedjiron comprises a smoothing EL-Eornio rLiicrm'oN f A Application filedy september 17, 192e. 'serial 'No1 136,115.

invention relates to electrically ,heated sad' irons forv laundry` and domestic` use, and particularlyto those of the general oli-ar-Y acterffshown and'I .described in Patent No.- 1,249,638,7@2'11118-@11December 11, i917, te Adele Rockefeller King, and in Patent No'. 1,449,201, granted March k,v 1923, to Albert H. Smith, Y

e Y"One'o'bject of'my/invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid character that shall loe-simple and durable in cons'truotion'andv shall be arranged to exert relatively high pressure between the vswitch 'contacts when 'closed and allow la wide'separation between them when open. Moreoven by the arrangeinentjj oil my invention ,y the 'switch when closed, is independent of any slight ymotion or vibration"v of the' handle: of thei'ron and adieuopenedr or closed it ,acts' quickly to break or make the circuit. i I

Other' objects kand advantages of my in 4vention"are setpforth' hereinafter and a pre'.

' d lferredy embodiment thereof'is illustratedin the accompanying,drawings/,to which refer-V ence may now behad'as'followsz'v Figurel 1 is' a`r vertical .longitudinal .secl-y tional elevation of an electrically heated' iron Y f Figure 2 is a d'etail'end view of the circuit controlling switch;`

showing the controlling :switch yin V,closed po- Stonl; y, Y

Figure4ris a plan viewl iron base 1 lon whichis mounteda protected fer'redk to. The iron isenolose'd by ahollow 5o mnals 6 and having the movable operating' Figure 3 is a view ysimilar tligure 1v handle and switchoperating parts mounted` uponfitfas will. presently be eXplained. yWhen the iron isnot iny use it is adapted to rest upon a suitable stand which is preferably ofv a double decker type illustrated in the drawing in which the base plate 20 is provided with pronged feet 21 spread apart to rest upon and engage an ironing board so as to prevent slidingof the stand. yThe upper iron supporting plate 231s spaced from the base plate 2O by spacing collars l247held in place by suitable bolts which pass through 'plates 23, 20 and the collars 24. This iron supporting stand is also preferably provided ,with a bail 25 pivoted in lugs 26y and arranged to bemoved into and out of engagement with the finger 27 projecting from the forward end of the khinged handle structure so as to hold the handle down upon the iron with `circuit interruptor in closed position for the purpose of heating up the iron preparatory foruse;` d Y Y e.

Thehandle comprises-a properly shaped sheet metal frame 30 pivoted at its rear lower cornerfupon 'apin' 31 mounted in the upwardly presented heavy lugs 32 cast or otherwise rigidly mounted upon the shell 10. This pivotal mounting of the handle structure permits the desired' movement hereinafter explained, but limits to a minimum any side play of the handle upon the iron.` The vpro- .jection27 above referred to is formed upon the frame 30 as shown. A handle grip 35 is suitably mountedbetween the ends of the Y, -v Y 1 y upwardlyprojecting arms oi' the frame 30; with the shell and Y i y V l45,;are;securely fastened to frame SOtoj rTwo relatively heavy lealy springs 40 and the rear ot' ythe pivot 31 and project forwardly between they handleA vframe and shelllO, the/spring y40 engaging the top ofthe shell while the spring engages a projectionfrom' the weighted toggle member of the switch operatingdevice presently to be' des'ci-*ibedl ,Tlfio'faction of these springs 40 and: 45 isto hold the yhandle structure raised away'l'r'om theiroln at itsY forward end which gives it Va slight-back tilt as shown in .Figure 1` of the drawings, the extent of thisv back tilt being limite-d by the"y connection` betweenV the handley leo AProjecting upwardly ,from the insulated to permit frame65 to tilt back slightly Vfrom its pivot axis in one position. A bracket plate structure and the switch operating mecha-k IllSm.

It will be 'clear that operate with the electric contacts of the ordinary plug having the usualflexible cord conductor (not shown) which plug can be attached yordetached from the VViron kat will and when attached serves to supply electric current from any suitable source.

One of the terminals 6 is electrically connectedy with one terminal of the heatingele-H inent 2. while the other terminal 6 is elec! trically connected with one of the stationary,

58V and" suitably mounted in the spaced ends of an auxiliary switchv frame consisting of a flat bar ofl metal of` approximate horseshoe shape.v Bridgingl contacts 56, 57 and busbar 58 are suitably insulated from auxiliary plate 3 and extending through slots in insulating material 5,l are the spaced' rigid lugs l 60 in which are mounted screw journal pins '6l upon which is transversely pivoted the main switch frame 65, consisting of a metal bar bent into U-shape and of which the pia7 oted side arms are set at slightly less than a right angle tothe connecting back portion or block 66 is slotted at 67 to fit over the back portion-of frame and projects upwardly and is rigidly secured thereon centrally of 'saidback portion by suitable means such as aipin 68V which passes through walls ofthe plate or block 66 and said bar 65. VThe plateorblock 66 is also slotted in its upper edge'asl shown at 69 to receive a rectangular lug or' flange 70 rigidly secured to and projecting downwardly from the horseshoe l auxiliary frame 55. lA pin 71 passes through the'up per slotted end of plate or block T66 lug ber 551to'the member 66, lsaid pin'connection.r allowing slight lateral rockingmotion 'of or flange v for securing the bridging meni-y member 55 upon member 66. The slight play allowed-by the pinconnection at 7l provides lateral.fiexibilityv tol the bridging contactv vmembers 56 and 57 sowas to automatically seat them in 'close contact withv stationary-.ccnl

tactsedti l j The means yfor operating the circuit inter-v rupting switch yfrom the` pivoted iron, handle the terminals 6`co- The other includes a pair of toggle links, one of which isin the form of a pivotally mounted weighted member While the other is connected with the Vpivoted handle through a third link. 75 is a weight shaped to fit in the forward contracted portion of the iron shell. This weight 75 is provided at its small end with the spaced lugs 7 6-which embrace a lug 77 secured to the base llv of the iron by means of a screw 78. A

pin 79 passes through lugs 76 and 77 for pivot:V

ally anchoring the member 7 5. The weight andconstitutes one element of an actuating 75 is'movable up and down upon itspivot 79A toggle, the weight vof this element being not only useful las increasing the Vweight ofthe iron as a whole but also serving asv a gravity to.Y

toggle element to take the place of the usually employed toggle actuating springswhich are very objectionable in an electrically heated iron because of the deteriorating effect of the I heat upon the springs. Y The member 75 is slotted in its rear upper face as indicated at 80 to receive the end of r a toggle link which ispivotally connected to member'75 by means of a pinSl. The link- 85 is preferably formed of two spaced bars carrying in their end al cross pin or roller 86 which engages the open vertical' slot 87 in the plate or block 66l above referredto, the two bars of link 485 being presented on opposite faces of the member 66. The face ofthe slot 87l furthest away from the pivot pin 8l extends above and below the pivotal axis 6l`ofV the U-vshaped frame 65 with the result that e v pressure of pin 86 of link 85 above the. pivot ico rocks said frame and the bridging contacts carried thereby into open position as shown in Figure l, whilefthe pressure of said pin86 f. below said pivotal axis 6l rocks said frame rand bridging contact into its Yopposite circuit closing position as shownin Figure 8.r

The handle frame BQis yformed with a slot 90 in whichis mounted a blocky 91havingvk spaced perforated ears 92 to which is`pivotally connected the upperend of a link 93 which passes down through a slot 94 inshell l() and is pivotally connected at its lower end tothe togglelink 85'by means of a pin88. The link l93is Vpivoted between the two bars of the link 85 andis centered therein'by'spacing washers 95. A stop-*pin 96 passes transversely j through the link 93 midway of its ends to limit the upward movement oftheflink and the han- Y .c dle structure which is connected thereto.

The'weight or toggle element 7 5V vcarries Y upon its-upper face a projectionf97formed Y on abridging'plate" 98 which'extends across the recess'80fand is secured inplace by screws- Y 99." This projection 97 extends through a slot 100 in iron shellrlO and is'enga'ged by the 'f end of the'leaf spring 45`above referred to,l

the pressure of the spring being added to that erated.UA

*ofthe weight, the action of the weighted tog-V l gleupon the circuiticlosing switch lis accel-` sure A ont -li nk85 is exerted above or below the F-he .Wei-eht of the toggle element 175 allglo'y the pressure .of .Spring 45 ie @one tinuously exerted upon its Companion toggle lin-kiffv which in turn continually `presses against the bearing surface or wall of the slot ST'in the plete or block `66 carried lby the rocking trame 65. This pressure upon the rocking trame causes the bridging con- .etafcts to be moved and yheld inyraised circuit breaking position or ylowered circuit closing ,posi-tion ,dependent upon whether the presaxial pivot 61.V When the handle structure SOis in raised position .as shown in Figure "l ,the toggle lingk85 is held in raised position gse-that the bridging switch member 55 is also ,held inv raised circuit breaking position. the handle 0is pressed downwardly intothe position shown in Figure 3, the rear' :and Qtoggle link 85 yis vforced into the lower endof slot ,87 Iwith the result that the bridging contacts 56, 57 are thrown into circuit closing posi-.tion ae Shown in Figure 3- ,-stated .above'lthe .handle frame 30 may .beheld this circuit closing position by moving 4the vbail 25 over into engagement with the in-ger y27 as Ashown in Figure 3. This latehed position .is suitable only when Starting ,to .ensure the properfheating of the iron. In norma-l ,operation` the handle is held in the circuit closing position by the operator pressing downwardly upon the yhand-grip 35,

f this bei-ng the natural application of pres- Suleiin thezilioning operation.. When the iron .ie fuse .the handlerame `30 may vibrate slightly dueto variations/in pressure upon it without anyway tending to open the circuit interruptor o r release-the pressure between ,the contact members The gravity oftoggle A*member 7 5 and the pressure ot' f spring 15 hold the contacts together closely y switch into open position beyond the control until the upward pull upon link 93 is suffi- -to move the pin 86 of link y85 across the plane extending through pivotal centers '8,1 ,and 61, when the pressure ofthe weighted toggle elements and the spring will Snap `the of ,the operator. This last described action takes pleo/e `when the pressure of the hand of the Iuser Vis entirelyreleased from the handle, tithe upward pressure of springs i0 and raising the handle into the position shown invFisure 1;.,

` The action ottogg-le link S5 upon rocking I frame is suchthat thefbridging contacts Vare held in .circuit closing position with a positive pressure, Veven y under any slight movements ofthe handle and connected toggle during the ironinglo'peration, .thiscircuit` V'closing pressure being maintained positively solong as the pin j86 engages the surface of slot 87 beneath theplane extending through lcenters 81 and i61.v A. This actionfo the described structure isof great importance.

` Vhen the yswitch contacts 50, 51 are circuit through members 56, 57, electric heating circuit is established from one of the terminals :6 to the other through the electric heating lelement 2.

The arrangement of the actuating mechanism is such as to provide a quick .break `operation `of the interruptor as already eX- plained, and this feature is of importance to my` invention since it tends to prevent an arc being established in breaking the circuit.

Attention is directed to the fact that unless the iron is on the stand it cannot be energized except when the handle is being pressed downwardly yby the hand of the user. The iron is thus rendered unusually safe and the possibility of fires is minimized if not entirely Vobviated.

It is ofcourse a well known fact that great numbers of lireshave resulted from electric irons being left in circuit, standing on a table ,or board and while various switches for interrupting the circuit have been provided, it has been my aim to make a commercially operative arrangement capable of continued and satisfactory operation.

The arrangement for holding the switch closed when the iron is on the stand, forms no partI of my invention,.it being claimed in the Albert H. Smith Patent No.'1,449,201, granted to F. R. King on March 29, 1928.

A'structure of preferred form and construction has been illustrated and described for the purpose of showing a way in which this invention may be used, but the inventive thought upon which this application is based, is broader than this illustrative embodiment thereof, and Iftherefore intend no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

i I .claim 1. The combination with a body, supporting La circuit controlling switch, of a toggle operatively connected with said controlling switch, and a spring mounted `eXteriorly of said body acting upon said toggle.

`2. The combination with a body, support-y ing'afcircuit controlling switch, oit a toggle operatively connected with said controlling switch, ahandle movably mounted upon said body connected with said toggle, and a spring mounted veXteriorly of said body acting upon said toggle. f

3. The combination with a body, supporting a circuit controlling switch,`of a toggle operatively kconnected with said controlling switch, a handle movably mounted upon said body connected with said toggle, a spring engaging said handle and holding the handle normally raised awayfrom said body, and a spring mounted .eXteriorly of said body acting upon said toggle.

' 4;. The combination with a body, supporting a circuit controlling switch, of a weightactuated toggleA operatively engaging said actuated toggle operatively engaging said controlling switch, and a spring mounted upon said body engaging said toggle and augmenting the weight-action thereof.

7. The combination with a body, supporting a circuit controlling switch, of a weightactuated toggle operatively connected with .said controlling switch, a handle movably being in the form of a pivotally ymounted mounted upon said body, an operative connection between said handle and said toggle, and a spring mounted upon said body and engaging said toggle to augment its action.

8. The combination with a body, supporting a circuit controlling switch, of a pair of toggle links operatively connected with said controlling switch, one of sai-d toggle links being in the form Aoif a pivotally mounted weight.

9. The combination with a body, supporting a circuit controlling switch, of a pair of toggle links operatively connected with said controlling switch, one of said toggle links weight, and a spring mounted upon said body engaging said toggle link weight.- Y

10. The combination with a hollow body, an-d a circuit controlling switch mounted thereon, of a toggle mounted in said hollow body andoperatively connected with said controlling switch, one element of said toggle being in the form or' a weight having the general contour of part of the cavity of said hollow Abody and pivotally anchored to said body. i Y Y f 11. The combination with a body, and a circuit controlling switch mounted thereon, of Va toggle mounted on said body and operatively connected with said controlling switch, one element of said toggle being in the form of a weight pivotally anchored to said body, a handle movably mounted upon said body and connected with said toggle, and

- a spring interposed between said yhandle and said weight element; Y i Y 12. rl`he combination witha body, and a circuit controlling switch-mounted thereon, of a toggle mounted on said body and oper- 'atively connected rwith said controlling switch, one element of said toggle being in the form of a weight pivotallyI anchored to said body, a handle pivotally mounted kuponY sai-d body, a spring interposed betweenV said handle and said body, and a second spring l carried by said handle projecting into engagement with said weight element.

circuit controlling switch mounted thereon,

of a toggle mounted on said body and oper- Y atively connected with said`V controlling switch, one element of said toggle being in the form of a weight pivotally anchored to said body, a handle movably mounted upon said body, a spring interposed between said handle and said body, and a link connecting said handle with said toggle.

14. The' combination with a body, and a circuit controlling switch ymounted thereon,

said switch comprising` stationary and movable contacts, and said movable contact being mounted upon a pivoted frame, of a pair of pivotally connected toggle links, one of said links being pivotally anchoredto sai-d body, and the other of said links having shiftable engagement with said pivoted contact frame and adaptedto exert pressure thereon either above or below a plane extending through the togglepivot and the frame pivot. Y Y

15. The combinationwitha body, and a circuit'controlling switch mounted thereon, said switch comprising stationary and movable contacts, and said movable contact being mounted upon a pivoted frame, of a pair of pivotally connected toggle links, one of said links being pivotally anchored to said body, and the other of said links having shiftable pin and slot engagement with said pivoted contact frame.

circuit controlling switch supported thereon,

said switch comprising stationary contacts and cooperating movable contacts, of a pivotally mounted trame carrying said movable contacts, a lbearing vfaceupon said Vframe eX- tending above and below the pivotal axis ofV ysaid frame, and a pair of pivotally connected sok 16. The combination lwith a body, and a l ibo Y' toggle links, one of said links being pivotallyl Y v anchored to said body, and the other of said f links engaging the bearing vface of said frame. Y Y i 17. The combination with a body, and a circuit controlling switch supported thereon,

said switch comprising stationary contacts and cooperatingmovable contacts, of a pivii'ok otally mounted frame carrying said movable contacts, a bearing face upon ysaid frame eX- tending above and below the pivotal axis of Y said frame, a pair of pivotally connected toggle links, one of said links being pivotally anchored to said body, and the other of said links engaging the bearing face ot said frame, and a handle member movably mounted upon said body and connected with said other toggle link for shifting its' point of engagement upon said bearing a'oe. i

18. The combination withia body, and a circuit controlling switch supported thereon, said switch comprising stationary contacts and cooperative movable contacts. of a pivotally mounted Yframe carrying said movable contacts, transverse pivot bearings for said frame, an approximately vertical bearing face upon said frame extending above and below the pivotal axis of said frame, and a pair of vertically movable pivotally connected toggle links, one of-saidlinks being pivotally an'- 'i'ing'face of said frame.

' nected movable bridging contacts mounted 19. 'The combination of a body, and a circuit controlling switch supported thereon,

said switch comprising stationary contacts, a transversely pivoted switch frame, an auxiliar y frame part pivoted longitudinally upon ysaid switch frame and capable of rocking transversely thereon, and electrically conupon said rocking auxiliary frame, a pair of pivotally connected toggle links arranged to actuate said switch frame, and a handle movably mounted upon said body and operatively connected to oneof said toggle links.

f 20. The combinationvwith a body and a circuit controlling switch mounted thereon, said switch comprising stationary and movable contacts, of a rocking pivoted frame upon which said movable contact is mounted,

7 a constant pressure switch actuating link having shiftable single point engagement with said rocking contact frame and adapted to exert switch-opening and switch-closing pressure thereon, and means for shifting the point of engagement of said link with said rocking contact frame.

21. The combination with a body and a circuit ycontrolling vswitch mounted thereon,

'said switch comprising stationary and movable contacts, of a rocking pivoted frame upon which said movable contact is mounted,

` a weight operated'link having shiftable enlgage'inent with said rocking contact frame and adapted to exert switch-opening or switch-closing pressure thereon, and means for shifting the point of engagement of said link with Ysaid rocking contact frame.

22. The combination with a body and a :circuit controlling switch mounted thereon, said, switch comprising stationary and'movable contacts, of a rocking pivoted frame upon which said movable contact is mounted,

a constant pressure switch actuating link hav- ,ing shiftable single point engagement with exert switch-opening or switch-closing pressure thereon, and a handle movably mounted upon said body and connected with said link and adapted to shift the point of engagement y ofsaid link with said rocking contact frame.

soV

23. The combination with a body and a said switch comprising stationary and movable 'coiitacts,'of a pivotally mounted rocking able engagement with the bearing face of said rocking frame, and means for shifting the point of engagementof said link with said bearing face.

24. The combination with a body and a circuit controlling switch mounted thereon, said switch comprising stationary and movable contacts, of 'a pivotally mounted rocking frame carrying said movable contacts, a bearing face upon said rocking frame extending above and below the pivotal axis of said` able contacts, of a pair of pivotally connected toggle links, vone of said toggle links being pivotally anchored to said body, and the other of said toggle links having shiftable engagement with said movable contact, said toggle links being supported in angular or out-of-line relation to exert pressure on said movable contact in both circuit open and circuit closed positions.

26. The combination with a body, and a circuit cont-rolling switch mounted thereon, said switch comprising stationary and movable contacts, of a pair of pivotally connected toggle links, one of said toggle links being pivotally anchored to said body, and the other of said toggle links having shiftable engagement with said movable contact, and hand operated means mounted upon said body connected with one of ysaid toggle links to shift its engagement with said movable contact, said toggle links being supported in angular or out-of-line relation and subjected to constant actuating pressure to exert pressure on said movable contact in both circuit open and circuit closed positions. Y

`WILLIAM A. DE HART.

' said rocking contact frame and adapted to i circuit controlling switch mounted thereon, 

